In Mac OS X, how do I decode and encode MIME Base64 encoded files?

MIME Base64 is a method used to encode binary files attached to email and newsgroup postings. Most email and newsgroup applications, such as Outlook Express, can handle Base64 directly. Some older applications, however, must call upon a helper program. The following applications can encode and/or decode Base64 and, in addition, can handle files that have been encoded with BinHex or uuencode. Unless otherwise noted, they are available from most Mac OS X software archives.

• StuffIt products: Current versions of StuffIt Expander and StuffIt Deluxe can decode MIME Base64 documents. Older versions could not, unless, in the case of Expander, you installed additional StuffIt software. For more, see the Smith Micro web page.
  
  
• Mpack: Mpack is a simple freeware application that can decode a MIME Base64 file or attachment and turn files into MIME-encoded attachments. It can even function as a primitive email client, although it can only send.
  
  
• Rosetta: The Rosetta utility can combine and decode BinHex, uuencoded, MacBinary, and Base64 files. It can combine files that have been split into multiple documents, and can even handle files with missing headers or files that have been encoded multiple times. It will not encode files, however. It is shareware, and though it is no longer available from the developer's web site, you can find it in most software archives. See For Mac OS X, where can I download freeware, shareware, commercial software, and software updates?

Comments/Questions/Corrections